Text interpretation activity about the legend of the saci, this activity is aimed at fourth grade students of elementary school.
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SCHOOL: DATE:
PROF: CLASS:
NAME:
Saci-Pererê is one of the best known characters in Brazilian folklore. It even has a day in its honor: October 31st. It probably arose among indigenous peoples in southern Brazil, still during the colonial period (possibly at the end of the 18th century). At that time, he was represented by an indigenous boy with a dark color and a tail, who was always up to mischief in the forest.
However, when migrating to the north of the country, the myth and character underwent changes as they received influences from African culture. Saci became a young black man with only one leg, because, according to the myth, he had lost the other in a capoeira fight. He started to be represented wearing a red cap and a pipe, typical of African culture. To this day it is represented in this way.
Behavior is the trademark of this folkloric character. Very fun and playful, the saci spends all his time making mischief in the woods and in the houses. It scares travelers, hides household objects, makes noises, scares horses and oxen in the pasture, etc. Despite the jokes, he does not practice attitudes with the aim of harming someone or doing harm.
The myth says that he travels inside eddies of wind, and to capture him it is necessary to throw a sieve over him. After that, you must take off the cap and hold the saci inside a bottle. Only in this way will he obey his "owner".
But, according to the myth, saci is not just for games. He is an important connoisseur of forest herbs, tea making and herbal medicines. He controls and guards the secrets and all this knowledge. Those who enter the forests in search of these herbs must, according to mythology, ask for their permission. Otherwise, you will become yet another victim of your antics.
The belief in this character is still very strong in the interior region of Brazil. Around the bonfires, the older ones share their experiences with Saci with the younger ones. Through oral culture, the myth is perpetuated. However, the character reached large urban centers through literature, television and comic books.
1) What is the origin of the legend of Saci?
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2) What was the African influence on Saci's image? Explain.
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3) Describe Saci's behavior.
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4) Name the antics of Saci.
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5) How does Saci move around?
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6) How can Saci obey its owner?
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7) How did the saci myth become known in large urban centers?
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8) What is the trademark of saci?
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9) What is the day of saci?
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10) Mark the alternatives below with true (T) or false (F).
() Saci got one leg just because he was mistreated by his boss
( ) Saci is a great connoisseur of medicinal herbs
( ) Saci is a character who probably emerged from the Indians, but later was influenced by African culture
( ) One of Saci's pranks is to scare disobedient children
For ACCESS
At answers are in the link above the header.